Miniature baseball stadiums on display at museum

UNION – Rockton resident and baseball aficionado Bill Rose will bring his collection of baseball stadiums to the McHenry County Historical Society Museum.

Rose has collected more than 50 miniature stadiums – including Ebbets Field, Three Rivers Stadium and Comiskey Park. Each were re-created by the Franklin Mint.

View this limited exhibition from 1 to 4 p.m. Father's Day and on June 23. Fathers are admitted free on Father's Day with the purchase of a regular adult or child admission. Members always get in free.

The stadiums also will be available for viewing from noon to 2 p.m. June 22 before a Civil War-era baseball game at nearby Siems Memorial Park. The game pits the McHenry County “Independants” (an actual team of that era) against a team from Lake County in what could become an annual tradition.

Grayslake Heritage Center Executive Director Dave Oberg will umpire and emcee, explaining the rules and teaching the audience to cheer and jeer in proper 19th-century fashion.

The park is off Highbridge Road, just east of Main Street. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Popcorn, Cracker Jack and lemonade will be available for purchase.